Adelaide

TULALA lamang ako habang nakaupo sa hardin ng mansiyon. I feel so alone, I feel like I lost everything.

I miss Nanay Deliah, I miss Lola, I miss my friends, I miss La Muerte, I miss Ezekiel.

Pero lahat sila hindi ko na makakasama at makikita pa, kahit kailan ay hindi na ako makakatapak pa sa lugar na iyon...

"Tulala ka nanaman."

Saad ng isang boses, napalingon ako at nakita ko si Aaron.

"Bakit nandito ka? hindi ka ba abala sa Law School?"

Tanong ko.

"Busy naman kaso dumaan ako dito kasi ang sabi ni Papa ay mahilig ka daw magbasa so I bought you some books para di ka laging nakatulala diyan."

Ngiti niya, napangiti din ako doon.

"Salamat."

Ngiti ko saka tinanggap ang mga libro. Nakilala ko si Aaron sa burol ni lola, anak siya ng attorney at malapit na kaibigan ni lola.

"Baka may gagawin ka pa ha?"

Nahihiyang sabi ko, nagkibit balikat ito.

"Pinapaalis mo na ako?"

Ngisi niya.

"Hindi naman."

Iling iling na sabi ko.

"Papa told me that you'd probably feel alone, si Ma'am Lydia nalang daw ang mayroon ka kaya sinusubukan kong dumalaw kapag may oras ako."

Sambit niya.

"Hindi naman kailangan, alam kong busy ka sa pag aaral. Okay lang ak---magiging okay ako, kakayanin ko."

Ngiti ko sakaniya.

"You remind me so much of my little sister, kaya siguro concern ako sayo."

He smiled.

"May kapatid ka? nasaan siya? hindi niyo siya kasama kapag dumadalaw kayo dito."

Sabi kong nagpailing kay Aaron.

"She died---she killed herself 5 years ago. Hindi ko alam na may pinagdadaanan siya kasi muka naman siyang masaya."

He sighed.

"I-I'm sorry."

Natigilan kong sabi, umiling lamang siya saakin.

"Maybe that's why I don't want you to be alone as much as possible."

He said, napatango akong ngumiti.

"Salamat."

Sabi ko nalang.

"My sister has curly hair too, inaasar ko pa siya lagi dyan. I think you both has the same personality and likes, kung buhay pa siguro siya ay magkakasundo kayo."

Pagkukwento pa ni Aaron, maya maya ay nagdala na ang maid ng meryenda.

"Salamat po."

Ngiti ko kay manang, ngumiti siya pabalik saka pumasok na ulit sa loob.

"Pupunta dito mamaya si papa, may importanteng ididiscuss saiyo."

Sabi nito, tahimik lang akong tumango habang binubuklat ang mga libro. Most of the books are the kinds that I like to read.
Some are educational, some are novels.

"Tungkol saan daw?"

I asked, Aaron shrugged, sumandal ito sa sandalan ng inuupuan.

"I didn't ask but I have an idea, parating narin naman iyon, mayroon lang daw susunduin."

He said, I just nodded my head.

"Okay hintayin ko nalang siya."

Saad ko.

"Alam mo ba ang kwento saakin ni papa, kapag binasa mo na daw ay hindi mo na nalilimutan? He would always give me a lot of books to read tapos sasabihin buti ka pa daw madali mo lang natatandaan kapag nagrereklamo ako sakanita. Damn I hope I have that kind of super powers, magagamit ko iyan sa Law school."

Biro niya, nailing nalamang ako.

"It's not that special but I'm thankful kasi mabilis akong natuto, kahit papaano ay nakakabawi ako sa sampung taong ipinagkait saakin."

Sabi kong nagpatango tango sakaniya.

"So what kind of books you like the most? Para sa susunod ay alam ko kung anong bibilhin o kung may nakita ako sa bahay ay pwede kong dalhin dito."

Tanong niya, maybe it will be a good distraction to me kaya hindi ako umaangal kasi nahihiya ako.

"Educational books, mostly about business because I'm curious about lola's work before, nakahiligan ko nading basahin. I like english novels too, also tagalog fiction books."

Pagkukwento ko.

"Nerd."

He joked, sinimangutan ko siya.

"Nagiging madaldal ka kapag tungkol sa libro ang pinag uusapan."

Ngisi niya, nagkibit balikat lamang ako.

"Anyways pupunta lang muna ako sa tindahan sa malapit, bibili lang sandali, may ipapabili ka?"

Tanong niya saka tumayo, napaisip ako, parang kagabi ko pa gusto ng ice cream eh.

"Ice cream sana, wait kukuha ako ng pambili."

Sabi ko, umiling lamang siya.

"Ako na, ice cream lang naman eh."

Ngiti nito, magrereklamo pa sana ako pero naglakad na siya paalis.

Nailing nalang akong pumasok sa loob at naupo sa living room. Kinuha ko ang sketch pad at lapis ko doon para tapusin ang inisketch ko kagabi.

That man's face, the face I will never forget, the smile on his face, not regretting stealing someone's life, the face of a man who took the life of a mother.

Pinagkaitan niya ito ng buhay na makasama pa ang pamilya niya ng matagal na panahon. I don't know what his agenda is, pero darating ang panahon at pagbabayaran niya ang mga ginawa niya.

Sa totoo lang ay natatakot akong bumalik para ibigay ito, natatakot ako dahil bukod sakaniyang larawan ay wala na akong iba pang ebidensiya.

Ako ang itinuturo nila, saakin nakaturo ang mga ebidensya, ako ang gusto nilang managot sa kasalanang hindi ko ginawa.

Takot akong makulong, ayokong makulong at pagbayaran ang krimeng kahit kailan, ni sa panaginip ay hindi ko gagawin.

Kahit hindi na ako makabalik, gusto ko lang makamit ni nanay ang hustisya. Darating ang araw, naniniwala akong makikita nila ang katotohanan, lalabas ang totoo.

Sana lang ay huwag makaramdam ng pagsisisi si Ezekiel. Dahil hindi ko siya sinisisi, masakit ang mga salitang sinabi niya pero naiintindihan ko siya, ako ang iniisip niyang pumatay kay nanay, naiintindihan ko kung ganun nalang ang galit niya saakin.

Kahit hindi ko na siya makasama---masakit, sobrang sakit, pero kahit makita niya nalang ang totoo, basta makamit nalang nila ang totoong hustisya, okay na ako doon.

"Umiiyak ka nanaman."

Natigilan ako nang makita si Aaron, agad kong isinara ang sketch pad at pinahid ang luha ko.

"N-Namiss ko lang si lola."

Sabi ko, lumapit siya saakin para iabot ang ice cream.

"Salamat."

Ngiti ko at agad na nilantakan iyon.

"Nasa labas na si papa, pinapark lang ang sasakyan."

Sabi niya, napatango akong itinabi na ang sketch pad at umayos ng upo. Maya maya ay pumasok na si attorney Alomar, kasunod ang isang magandang babaeng satingin ko ay bayaga.

Ngumiti siya saakin at sinalubong ang mga tingin ko. Bahagya akong natigilan nang makita ang mga mata nito.

Her silver eyes glimmered as she looks at me, she's smiling but her eyes were filled with longing as she look at me, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit iba ang pakiramdam ko sakaniya.

"Good morning Adelaide, how are you?"

Attorney greeted me, inalis ko ang tingin sa babaeng kasama niya at tipid na ngumiti kay attorney.

"Magandang umaga rin po, ayos lang naman po, kahit papaano ay sumusubok bumangon."

Sabi kong nagpatango kay attorney.

"Glad to know that."

He said then sat on the couch infront of me.

"This is Liz Campbell by the way, she's from Scotland, pero nakakaintindi at nakakapagsalita naman ng tagalog dahil pabalik balik din siya dito sa pilipinas."

Pagpapakilala nito sa kasama, satingin ko ay bata pa siya pero mas matanda siguro saakin.

"Hello Liz, I'm Adelaide."

Tipid na ngiting bati ko saka inilahad ang kamay, masaya niyang tinanggap iyon.

"I know."

She said mysteriously.

"Liz Campbell? The one who owns the famous handkerchief brand? Lisa?"

Aaron asked, Liz nodded her head.

"It is originated from my late mother Lisa Strella Campbell, but yeah I am the owner now."

She said formally, napatango lang doon si Aaron.

"Ano po bang pag uusapan natin attorney?"

I asked.

"Oh yes about that."

He cleared his throat.

"It's about Madam Lydia Aldama's last will and testament."

He said.

"Ano po iyon?"

Tanong ko.

"It's a legal document that expresses a testator's wishes as to how their property is to be distributed after their death and as to which executor is to manage the property until its final distribution."

Aaron stated, nangunod ang noo kong napatango.

"Wala ng ibang kamag anak si Madam Lydia, wala rin siyang asawa at anak, she only have you Adelaide."

Nagabas si attorney ng mga papeles at sinimulang basahin iyon.

"It is stated that Lydia Aldama declaire this to be her last will and testament. All the properties she owned, after her death is hereby devised to her grand daughter Adelaide."

He started, natigilan ako doon.

"The AlD group of companies, her mansion in manila, her rest house in tagaytay, baguio and pampanga, her cars, her private plane, a helicopter, yacht, her mansion in Scotland and all her money will all be legally transfered to you Adelaide."

Tila ba naestatwa ako nang marinig iyon.

"W-what?"

Gulat na sabi ko.

"You heard me Adelaide, your grandmother Lydia, wishes you to be her successor."

He stated.

"H-how? Wala akong experience, I don't think I can even manage her company, natatakot ako na baka masayang lang ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ni lola."

Sambit ko, umiling sila saakin.

"We'll train you Laide, we'll hire someone to teach you privately, mainit pa ang mata ng publiko saiyo."

Aaron uttered, natigilan ako.

"Lydia told me about your case, kilala kita, alam kong hindi mo magagawa iyon Laide, she told me you were probably framed up."

Attorney Alomar said.

"Haharapin natin sila----"

Umiling ako agad ng marinig.

"No! I-I'm not ready, N-natatakot ako, hindi ako ang may gawa pero malakas ang ebidensya laban saakin. Hindi ako haharap hanggang wala akong ebidensyang nagpapatunay na wala akong kasalanan."

Tarantang sabi ko habang nakakuyom ang mga kamao.

"I want the real killer to pay for his crime, I want justivce for nanay, pero ayokong makulong dahil inosente ako! N-Natatakot ako..."

Sambit ko, attorney sighed.

"I understand, since hindi ka pa naman natatagpuan, why don't you continue hiding while we gather evidences?"

Attorney suggested, dahan dahan akong tumango.

"I-I also don't want to see them, I just want justice for nanay and my name to be cleared, h-hindi naman kailangang humarap ako diba? we just need to gather evidences na magtuturo sa kung sino man ang totoong may gawa."

I am not ready to face them, hindi ako ang pumatay pero sobra kong sinisisi ang sarili ko. Sobra akong nasasaktan, at satingin ay maigi ng hindi na nila ako makita, ayokong mas ipaalala sakanila ang sakit ng pagkawala ni nanay.

Kahit pa mapatunayan kong hindi ako guilty ay mas makakabuti na sigurong hindi na nila ako makita. Katulad ng sinabi ni Ezekiel ay ayaw na niya akong makita pa, kahit pa wala akong kasalanan, satingin ko ay maibabalik ko lang ang sakit sakaniya at maalala niya iyon ng paulit ulit kapag nakita niya uli ako.

Ako nalang ang lalayo.

"I just want them to achieve a true justice and clear my name, I will give my statement as a witness in the right time together with the evidences. I have a sketch of the killer's face, iyon lang ang pinanghahawakan ko sangayon, please attorney."

I pleaded, napatango siya roon.

"Okay, I will do what I can, we'll hire men, we'll help you clear your name. Matagal kaming naging magkaibigan ng lola mo at napalapit ka na rin saakin Laide, isa ako sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan ng lola mo, kaya hinding hindi ka namin hahayaang mapahamak."

Mariing sabi niya, nangilid ang luha ko roon.

"S-salamat, i-importante saakin to, s-salamat po."

Naiiyak kong sabi.

"Saka ka na magpasalamat kapag nalinis na ang pangalan mo hija, wala man ang lola mo ay nandito naman kami."

He said smiling, napangiti rin ako doon, attorney Alomar did took care and taught me things too when I was living here for two years.

"May isa pa kaming balita saiyo Laide."

Attorney said, pinahid ko ang luha at tumingin sakaniya.

"We already found your family---no, she actually found you."

Malakas na kumabog roon ang puso ko, tumayo si attorney at makahulugang tumingin sa kasama.

"Aaron satingin ko ay dapat muna natin silang iwan."

Sabi nito sa anak, mukang naintindihan agad ni Aaron iyon at tumayo nadin, nagtataka ko silang sinundan ng tingin hanggang makalabas sila.

"Hello Erina, do you remember me? probably not."

She asked, the moment our eyes met again, made me realize something.

"A-Are you---"

"Yes."

She uttered with a smile, nagulat nalamang ako nang bigla niya akong yakapin.

"I missed you Laide! I missed you so much!"

Nanginig ang balikat nito, tumulo narin ang luha kong mahigpit siyang niyakap.

"I-I'm sorry, dahil saakin kaya, kaya nahirapan kaming hanapin ka."

Naluluha niyang sabi saka kumalas sa pagkakayakap at naupo.

"You might not remember since you were just 3 back then but I am your cousin, my mother is your father's sister."

She started.

"W-Who am I, tell me, who am I?"

I asked.

"Your real name is Erina Adelaide Strella, Your mother is Merlin Williams, she is from Wales and your father, my uncle is Alexander Strella from Scotland."

Naglabas siya ng picture, it's a family pictre, a couple holding a baby. The man has silver eyes like mine and his nose looks the same as mine too while the woman---I look a lot like her. I got her almond eyes, curly hair, her lips and the shape of her face.

"They are your parents, You were just three when they migrated here I suppose. Your mom's family doesn't like ours so they both escaped. Your mom lived with us in scotland together with uncle Aleander, your dad. You were just three when they escaped again and went to the philippines to your dad's bestfriend's house and lived in here for three years untill that accident."

Pagkukwento niya habang may ipinapakita saaking mga larawan.

"You have an ability am I right?"

She asked, natigilan ako doon.

"Y-yes I got it from the accident."

I said, umiling siya saakin.

"No, it came from your father's family."

She uttered, nagtataka ko siyang tinignan, Liz sighed.

"The daughters of our family will enherit a special ability, it's been like that for generations."

She said, nanlaki ang mata ko roon.

"Y-you can see the future too?"

I asked, umiling ito saakin.

"Every daughters enherits different kind of psichic ability Laide, Our grand mother told me that it is a gift to us during the war probably a thousand years ago."

She shrugged.

"No one really knows when did it really start or how, our grandma can read minds, my mom can see spirits, I know it's unbelievable, kahit ako ay hindi maexplain iyon."

Liz sighed, halos hindi parin maproseso ng utak ko ang mga sinabi niya.

"While me? I have the ability to perfectly hide myself and anyone I desire from whoever no matter how many they are just by imagining it while looking at someone I want to hide's eyes. Kahit pa nasa harapan ka na ng taong iyon ay hindi ka niya mapapansin, no matter what device they use, even your information will not exist to those people you want to hide from."

Naikuyom niya ang kaniyang mga kamao.

"That's why I brought up about our family's secret, I was ten before, your father pleaded me to use my ability to your family, to the Strella's and Williams, that's why you were never found, hindi ako nag isip gaano noon, kasalanan ko kung bakit hindi kayo mahanap hanap."

Seryosong sabi niya.

"But you found me, h-how about my parents?"

I asked.

"I saw you in the news, I imidiately concluded it was you, hindi kita mahanap ng ilang taon dahil hindi ko na alam kung ano na bang itsura mo. Because of that news, I managed to find you, I managed to remove my ability's effect on you."

She stated.

"My parents Liz, w-what about them?"

I asked, seryoso siyang tumingin saakin.

"It was ten years ago, we found them dead, we did an investigation, Your father lost everything from debts and gambling, you were taken away to sell , your parents got on an accident while chasing you and didn't survive. Themen that your father has too many debts, took you away, hindi ka namin mahanap dahil wala kang litratong makikita kong ano bang eksaktong face mo that time, you were gone for three so I couldn't remove the effect of my ability on you."

Para bang naestatwa ako roon.

"T-They are dead, matagal akong nagtatanong kung hinahanap ba nila ako, matagal ko ng sinabi sa sarili ko ang posibilidad na baka nga patay na sila, pero ang sakit eh."

Sabi ko, Liz embraced me, ano mayroon pa ba? kasi sobrang sakit na eh, bakit sunod sunod na nawawala ang mga mahal ko, hindi ko maintindihan, wala naman akong ginagawang masama ah wala naman akong tinatapakang tao, bakit nangyayari ito saakin.

"Bakit paring unti unting kinukuha saakin ang lahat.."

Mahinang sabi ko habang yakap yakap ako ni Liz.

"You still have me Erina, now that I found you, tayo nalang ang mayroon sa isa't isa, I will be here, I am here now."

She cried.

"No! Let me go! I want to see my parents!"

I screamed on top on top of my lungs, cried so hard while the me just laughed, I was so scared I want to jump out of the car.

"Mommy! Daddy! help! help!"

I continued screaming, crying my eyes out.

"Shut up! You will not see your parents! again!"

One of them said making me cry harder.

Napahawak ako saaking ulo nang may lumitaw na mga imahe.

"A-ahh!"

Daing ko, agad akong dinaluhan ni Liz.

"Laide!!"

She squealed when I colapsed, unti unti akong napapikit roon.

WHEN I WOKE UP, I am already in my room, bumungad saakin ang nag aalalang muka ni Liz.

"Erina, are you okay? may masakit ba?"

Tanong nito nang makitang nagmulat na ako ng mga mata, nandito rin ngayon si Aaron.

"I'm okay, sumakit lang ang ulo ko nang may maalala ako."

Saad ko.

"Y-you remembered something?"

Liz asked, tumango ako roon.

"Not that much, nasa sasakyan ako ng mga kumuha saakin, I was pleading them in my memory, that's all."

I said then sighed.

"Tatawagin ko si doc."

Sabi ni Aaron saka lumabas muna.

"Sigurado ka bang ayos ka lang?"

Tanong ni Liz, tumango ako sakaniya.

"Yes Liz, kahit papaano ay nabuhayan ako, even that's a bad memory, atleast I will start remembering things. Kahit wala na ang mga tunay kong magulang, if I remember them, then atleast they will continue being alive in my heart."

I said then looked away, Liz smiled and nodded her head.

"I have a favor Liz, kanina ko pa ito naisip pero nawalan ako ng malay kaya hindi ko nasabi saiyo."

I said with a serious expression.

When she told me about her ability, I've thought of something.

"Hide me Liz, hide me untill my name is cleared, hide me so that those people wouldn't see me ever again. So I won't cause pain to them anymore, please Liz, I'm begging you."

I pleaded, natigilan siya roon.

"Erina..."

She said, bigla nalang nagbukas ang pintuan ng kwarto ko at iniluwa si Aaron kasama ng family doctor.

"How are you feeling?"

The doctor asked.

"Okay na po, medyo kumikirot lang po ang ulo."

Sabi ko, napatango siya roon.

"It seems like your memories were triggered when you saw someone familiar, when you saw those pictures. Sa ngayon ay huwag mo munang pilitin, this is actually a good sign, your memories will eventually come back, no need to push yourself."

He said, napatango ako roon.

"Ang also, umiwas ka muna sa stress, you shouldn't stress yourself too much, makakasama iyon sa baby."

He added, natigilan kami doon.

"B-baby?"

I asked, tumango siya at ngumiti.

"Congratulations, you're 6 weeks pregnant."